Compound motion adapter for buffing machine



Aug. 18, 1964 THIEL ETAL 3,144,777

COMPOUND MOTION ADAPTER FOR BUFFING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10, 1960 sSheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR:

AW/ ME m.

'Aug. 18, 1964 o. THIEL ETAL 3,144,777

COMPOUND MOTION ADAPTER FOR BUF'FING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10, 1960 3Sheets-Sheet 2 h W Q ND I I I I a Q I JNVENTORJ OTTO T/f I HIV Aug. 18,1964 o. THlEL ETAL.

COMPOUND MOTION ADAPTER FOR BUFFING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10, 1960 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ orro 770:4

A ra /V49 6 United States Patent 3,144,777 COMPOUND MOTION ADAPTER FURBUFFING MACHINE Otto Thiel, Detroit, and John G. Hackert, Birmingham,Mich., assignors to Midwest Supply and Manufacturing Company, Ferndale,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 61,515 4Claims. (Cl. 74-22) The present invention relates to an improved adapterapplicable to the usual workpiece mounting spindle of a polishing,buffing or like machine, for the purpose of converting the latter in amanner to afford a compound motion of the workpiece in relation to abuffing or polishing Wheel. More particularly, the invention relates toan adapter which is applied to a machine in which the usual spindle inquestion, in addition to its normal work rotation action, has suitableprovision for the linear reciprocation of such spindle. Furthermore, itis contemplated that the adapter, as applied to a reciprocating spindletype machine, may be employed in conjunction with a buffing or polishinghead having provisions for imparting a reciprocatory or oscillatorystroke in one direction or another to its buffing wheel, as inaccordance with the disclosure of the copending application of Glen A.Carlson, Serial No. 36,963, filed June 17, 1960 now Letters Patent No.3,099,902 of August 8, 1963.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved compoundedstroke type of work holder adapter by which workpieces of considerableintricacy as to surface contour, featuring abrupt changes in elevation,and the like, may in a polishing cycle of extremely short duration begiven a uniformly high degree of polish throughout the entire polishedarea thereof.

Another general object of the invention is to provide an improvedoscillating adapter for a workpiece or work holding chuck spindle,particularly as characterized by a bodily reciprocatory action of suchspindle, in which the adapter moves with the spindle in suchreciprocation and has means positively driven, preferably by a line ofgearing direct-connected to the spindle proper, by which the adapter isgiven an oscillatory action in a direction transverse that of thereciprocatory stroke. This oscillation is on a relatively flat are whichin effect approaches a reciprocatory stroke of its own, so that thecombined reciprocation-oscillation results in a characteristic sine-wavemotion of the workpiece in its traverse past the polishing or buffingwheel.

It is a further object to provide an adapter of this character, in whichthe driving connection or chain of gearing which operates the spindlefor the compound motion described is also connected to an auxiliary orsecondary spindle which is part of the adapter, mounted for rotation onan axis paralleling that of the spindle proper of the machine to whichthe adapter is applied, the secondary spindle thus tracing the path ofthe compounded reciprocatory or reciprocatory-oscillatory motionreferred to above as it is rotated.

More specifically, it is an object to provide an adapter as described,comprising an oscillatory housing having means for fixedly mounting thesame on the spindle head of a reciprocatory work or chuck spindle typepolishing or buffing machine, for reciprocation with such work head, thehousing being in turn mounted for oscillation upon such mounting meansin a plane paralleling the direction of reciprocation, and rotatablycarrying, in transversely spaced relationship to the mounting means inquestion, a secondary spindle for rotation on an axis paralleling thatof the spindle proper and mounting means. Thus the secondary spindle, towhich a work chuck or work supporting means is mounted for rotation,describes a path of compound motion transverse of the direction3,144,777 Patented Aug. 18, 1964 of primary reciprocation of themachines work spindle proper, being driven from this motion by the sameline of gearing through which it obtains its rotary motion from thespindle proper.

Yet another and more specific object is to provide an adapter of thecharacter described, in which the housing journals an intermediateshaft, to which a gear is fixed for the purpose of transmitting rotarydrive from the work spindle proper of the buffing machine to the spindleof the adapter; and in which this intermediate shaft also functions toprovide the oscillatory action of the housing and secondary spindle.This is done through the agency of a crank device on the shaft, drivenby the gearing which drives the secondary spindle and appropriatelycontrolled by a fixed guide to cause the housing to oscillate as thecrank is rotated.

The foregoing as well as other objects will become more apparent as thisdescription proceeds, especially when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings illustrating the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in horizontal section through the adapter of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the adapter, as partially broken away andvertically sectioned along line -22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing a portion of the tubularmeans to mount the adapter to the buffing machine, and the oscillationcontrol guide means of the adapter carried thereby;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section on line 4-4 of FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the oscillation control guide, as from theright of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, views in section along lines 6-6,7-7 and 88 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view showing an adapter as furtherequipped with vacuum chuck means, in the event such is desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10generally designates the improved oscillating spindle adapter of theinvention, which is intended to be applied to a known type of automaticbuffing or polishing machine 11. The latter is characterized by meansfor reciprocating its rotatively driven spindle, as carried by a spindlemounting head in a reciprocatory path, usually horizontal; and suchreciprocation affords one component of the compounded stroke of adapter10.

As indicated above, the buffing machine may have further provisions forreciprocating or otherwise movably mounting its rotary bufiing Wheel,although this refinement is not an essential to the adapter of thepresent invention, whose compound motion enables a workpiece mounted onthe work chuck spindle of the adapter 10 to be buffed or polished withextreme thoroughness. Workpieces or irregular surface contour,presenting relatively deep recesses and sharp changes in cross section,are quickly given a uniformly high degree of polish.

Adapter It) comprises a special housing 15 composed of forward andrearward recessed housing castings 16, 17, respectively, which aremarginally secured to one another by a series of bolts 18 passingthrough outer flanges or bosses 19, 20 thereof. As so secured, thehousing members 16, 17 define a forward gear box recess 22 and othercavities for the reception of certain shafting and mounting provisions.

Adapter housing 15 is rotatively journaled for oscillation about theaxis of a tubular mounting member or sleeve 24, as by combined radialand axial thrust roller bearings 25, 26 respectively adjacent theforward and rearward axial ends of this sleeve. The latter is receivedwithin a relatively large diameter bore 27 of the rear housing part 17,and is provided at its forward end with a re- 3 taining ring 28 boltedthereto and bearing rearwardly against the inner race of forward bearing25. The outer race of bearing 25 engages an offset shoulder of housingbore 27. The inner race of rear bearing 26 axially abuts an outershoulder or annular abutment on sleeve 24, and the outer race of thisbearing abuts a shoulder on housing casting 17. A suitable annular sealring 29 is interposed between mounting sleeve 24 and the housing, to therear of bearing 26.

Referring specially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, and as shown in dotdashline, the mounting sleeve 24 of adapter telescopes axially over theusual reciprocatory work holding or chuck head proper 31 of the buffingmachine 11, in which head the usual chuck spindle 32 is mounted forrotation as head 31 reciprocates in the operation of machine 11. Sleeve24 is fixedly secured to such head as a mount, for example by a radialset screw 33 or the like rearwardly of the housing 15. Thus sleeve 24carries housing for reciprocation as a unit with a buffing machines worksupporting head 31.

A tubular adapter drive pinion 35 is axially telescoped on the end ofspindle 32 and secured fixedly thereto for rotation therewith, as by akey 36 and/or & set screw 37. This pinion extends forwardly through thesleve retainer ring 28, where its pinion teeth 38 are in mesh with alarge intermediate gear 39 carried within housing 15 approximately atits horizontal center, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gear 39 havingits hub 40 splined at 41 to a horizontally extending stub shaft 42.Shaft 42 is mounted for rotation on the rear housing casting 17, as byforward and rearward ball bearings 43, 44, respectively, separated by atubular spacer 45. Gear 40 functions as a part of a chain of gearing ofthe adapter by which its own, or secondary, work supporting or chuckspindle 47 is rotatably driven, in the manner presently described; andit also drives its mounting shaft 42 to impart an oscillatory stroke tospindle 47 to compound the motion of the adapter.

To the former end, the spindle 47 has a spur driving pinion 48 fixedlymounted thereto, as by splines 49, the pinion 48 meshing withintermediate gear 39 diametrically opposite the adapter drive pinion 35.The spindle is journaled by a ball bearing 50 in a cylindrical opening51 in forward housing casting 16, the bearing being retained by aforward retainer ring 52 secured to the casting. Pinion 48 abuts theinner race of bearing 50.

Spindle 47 is rearwardly journaled by a ball bearin g 53 received in atubular rear extension 54 of housing casting 17, a spacer sleeve 55being interposed between pinion 48 and bearing 53; and the latter isheld in place by a take-up nut 56 threaded on the spindle.

As shown, the pinions 35, 48 are of the same diameter, so that equalspeed rotation will be transmitted from the chuck spindle 32 of machine11 to the adapter work spindle 47. In this connection, attention isdirected to FIG. 9 of the drawings, indicating the possibility, ifdesired, of applying vacuum to a work chuck (not shown) carried byspindle 47, as through an axial bore 58 in the latter, in the event useof a vacuum-type chuck is desired. To this end, a suitable vacuum lineconnector fitting 59 may be employed coaxially of the spindle, withinternal rotatable means (not shown) communicating the same directlywith bore 58.

Now referring to FIGS. 3 through 8 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the stubshaft 42 by which the intermediate gear 40 is journaled on housing 15projects rearwardly through a tubular casting extension 61 receiving thesame, where it has fixedly mounted thereon a special type of crank arm,generally designated 62. Such arm comprises a crank body 63 welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the rear end of stub shaft 42 for rotationas a unit with the latter. A slide 64 is carried within the crank body63 for adjustment longitudinally thereof, i.e., radially of shaft 42;and this slide has a threaded bore 65 threadedly engageable by anadjusting stem 66. Stem 66 is mount- 4 ed for rotation in a fixed endplate 67 (FIG. 8) secured to crank body 63; and has a rectangularformation 68 externally of plate 67, for the reception of a suitabletool, by manipulation of which the radial position of slide 64 may beadjusted as desired. This, it will be appreciated, adjusts the radialthrow of parts connected to the slide 64, with the effect of adjustingthe arc of oscillation of the spindle 47, as effected through the agencyof parts moving with the slide.

To the end of operatively connecting the adapter housing 15 (and spindle47 bodily carried thereby) for such oscillation, the slide 64 isprovided with a rearwardly extending fixed post 70 upon which the innerrace of a ball bearing 71 is fixed, being secured by a nut 72 threadedon the post. The outer race of bearing 71 is fixed to an anti-frictionroller 73; and such roller operates in a guide or control way providedby a fixed control way or track unit such as is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4and 5 of the drawings, the unit in question being generally designated75.

As therein illustrated, the unit 75 may be in the form of a primarymounting plate 76 having its inner end contoured arcuately at 77 formating and positioning engagement with the rear end of the annularadapter mounting member or sleeve 24, projecting to one side of thelatter. Plate 76 fixedly carries a pair of horizontally disposed, upperand lower way or track members 78, 79, respectively, and the latter maybe rigidly mounted to a suitable part of the bufling machine, as by aflanged bracket 81. Other suitable provisions may be employed, ifdesired, to mount the control and guide unit 75 in fixed relation to thesleeve 24, as a means by which oscillation of housing 15 is controlled.

Way members 78, 79 afford parallel, horizontally extending tracksurfaces 83, 84, respectively, between Which the anti-friction roller 73operates; and the outer ends of the ways 78, 79 are rigidly coupled by avertical stop and brace piece 85. As indicated above, the overall throwof the roller is determined by the radial adjustment of its mountingslide 64.

Accordingly, upon rotation of intermediate stub shaft 42, the crank 62at its top is rotated about a horizontal axis; and such rotation causesroller 71 to reciprocate back and forth between the way surfaces 84.This is accompanied by the oscillation of housing 15, and spindle 47borne thereby, in a vertical arc of quite fiat or mildly curvedcharacter. As borne by the chuck spindle head 31 of the butting machine,this motion has a horizontally reclprocatory component combinedtherewith, resulting in a sine-type path of travel of a workpiecesupported by spindle 47, which has been found to be very effective insecuring an extremely thorough and uniform polishing action on partswhich are surface-contoured with abrupt changes in elevation, and thelike.

Whether itself bodily reciprocated or not, the bufiing wheel of themachine seeks out all crevices and corners of the countour in a bufiingcycle of extremely slight duration, with a highly finished polishing ofthe piece as the result.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. A work finishing machine comprising a rotary spindle mounted forback-and-forth movement transversely of the axis thereof, a housinghaving means to mount the same for movement with said spindle and foroscillation about an axis coincident with said spindle axls, a workspindle mounted by said housing for movement therewith and for rotationabout an axis laterally spaced from and paralleling the axis of housingoscillation, drive means for said work spindle carried by said housingfor oscillation therewith, including a pinion mounted in said housingcoaxially of said first named spindle axis and adapted to be driven bysaid first named spindle, a pinion drivingly connected to said workspindle to rotate the same, and a shaft rotatably mounted by saidhousing and having a gear fixed thereon and meshing with said pinions totransmit power therebetween, a crank fixed on said shaft externally ofsaid housing, and a fixed control device carried by said housingmounting means and operatively connected to said crank to oscillate saidhousing upon rotation of said shaft and crank,

2.-A work finishing machine comprising a rotary spindle, mounted forback-and-forth movement trans versely of the axis thereof, a housinghaving means to mount the same for movement with said spindle and foroscillation about an axis coincident with said spindle axis, a workspindle mounted by said housing for movement therewith and for rotationabout an axis laterally spaced from and paralleling the axis of housingoscillation, drive means for said work spindle carried by said housingfor oscillation therewith, including a pinion mounted in said housingcoaxially of said first named spindle axis and adapted to be driven bysaid first named spindle, a pinion drivingly connected to said workspindle to rotate the same, and a shaft rotatably mounted by saidhousing intermediate said pinions and having a gear fixed thereon andmeshing with said pinions to transmit power therebetween, a crank fixedon said shaft externally of said housing, and a fixed control devicecarried by said housing means and operatively connected to said crank tooscillate said housing upon rotation of said shaft and crank, said crankhaving an anti-friction roller thereon and said device including a fixedway cammingly engageable with the roller to so oscillate the housing.

3. A work finishing machine in accordance with claim 1, in which saidpinions are of substantially equal effective diameter to rotate saidwork spindle at equal speed with said first named spindle, as drivinglyconnected with said gear.

4. A work finishing machine in accordance with claim 2, in which saidpinions are of substantially equal effective diameter to rotate saidwork spindle at equal speed with said first named spindle, as drivinglyconnected with said gear.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS530,639 Ehrhardt Dec. 11, 1894 759,746 Pneuman May 10, 1904 FOREIGNPATENTS 386,506 Great Britain Jan. 19, 1933 256,904 Germany Mar. 1, 1949974,212 France Sept. 27, 1950

1. A WORK FINISHING MACHINE COMPRISING A ROTARY SPINDLE MOUNTED FORBACK-AND-FORTH MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY OF THE AXIS THEREOF, A HOUSINGHAVING MEANS TO MOUNT THE SAME FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID SPINDLE AND FOROSCILLATION ABOUT AN AXIS COINCIDENT WITH SAID SPINDLE AXIS, A WORKSPINDLE MOUNTED BY SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH AND FOR ROTATIONABOUT AN AXIS LATERALLY SPACED FROM AND PARALLELING THE AXIS OF HOUSINGOSCILLATION, DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID WORK SPINDLE CARRIED BY SAID HOUSINGFOR OSCILLATION THEREWITH, INCLUDING A PINION MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSINGCOAXIALLY OF SAID FIRST NAMED SPINDLE AXIS AND ADAPTED TO BE DRIVEN BYSAID FIRST NAMED SPINDLE, A PINION DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID WORKSPINDLE TO ROTATE THE SAME, AND A SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED BY SAIDHOUSING AND HAVING A GEAR FIXED THEREON AND MESHING WITH SAID PINIONS TOTRANSMIT POWER THEREBETWEEN, A CRANK FIXED ON SAID SHAFT EXTERNALLY OFSAID HOUSING, AND A